The US stock market is likely to open lower in Tuesday's trading session, March 17, as futures of the three key averages—the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite—are trading lower by 0.3%, 0.2%, and 0.4%, respectively, in pre-market trading after crude oil prices resumed their winning run, fueling inflation concerns. Trump said China gets about 90% of its oil from the strait, while the US gets only a minimal amount. Tehran has extended its drone and missile attacks on neighbouring countries, including oil fields across the Gulf region. Although higher energy prices have impacted Asian stocks the most in March, US stocks have held up better on expectations that the economic repercussions will be less severe. However, concerns have mounted that higher energy prices will fuel inflation in March, as Brent crude prices are up 26% so far this month.

Source: Mint March 18, 2026 03:09 UTC